Polish electric scooters raise safety concerns and legal contradictions

The growing popularity of electric scooters among children in Polish cities has sparked worries about traffic safety. Observers note frequent incidents where youngsters ride without helmets, ignore pedestrian crossings, and organise informal races on newly resurfaced streets, creating hazards for themselves and other road users. Experts and parents stress the need for better supervision, education and enforcement of safety equipment.

At the same time, Poland’s road traffic law creates a paradox: electric scooters are permitted to use sidewalks when the road speed limit exceeds 30 km/h, while cyclists are required to stay on the carriageway even on streets with wide, empty sidewalks. The legal text specifies that scooters may use pedestrian paths under those conditions, whereas cyclists can only do so on roads with speed limits over 50 km/h and additional width criteria. The inconsistency has been highlighted as a source of confusion and potential danger for all vulnerable road users.